Coventry Copsewood were looking for a statement result yesterday afternoon against Bilston Town to cement their position in mid table. Ten points from their last six matches going into this one had put the club in a mid-table position and it’s mainly a case of staying consistent to avoid getting dragged into a relegation battle between now and April. Bilston Town were also coming into this match in a run of form with 11 points from their last six league matches. The Steelmen have gradually climbed the table over the course of the season and are now challenging for the play offs for the last few months of the campaign. The atmosphere around Allard Way prior to kick off was mainly positive with both sets of supporters optimistic for the second half of the season. The bar was well presented and the facilities around the ground were good for the level. There was a notable following for Bilston who supported the team well throughout the 90 minutes. The ground is a brilliant place to visit for local groundhoppers around the West Midlands. It can be accessed by taking the 13 bus from Hales Street at Coventry City centre, stopping at Bromleigh Drive and taking a fairly short walk to the ground. Starting line ups Coventry Copsewood’s starting line up featured Olly Manuel starting in goal and Ben Atkins captaining the team from central defence. The formation appeared to be a 4-3-3 with a front two of Sean Kavanagh and Eden Mukenge being supported by Sam Ellis from attacking midfield. There were three changes from the team that started against Sutton United last weekend with Jean Gomes coming into the team and playing in holding midfield. The starting line up for Bilston Town included Kai Lloyd as the starting goalkeeper and Aaron Weston captaining the team from left back. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Samuel Yankson leading the line up front and being supported by Adam Nazir and Ethan Pearce on the wings. There were two changes from the team that started against Wolves Sporting last weekend with Ethan Pearce coming into the team and playing on the left wing of a midfield three. First Half
The first twenty minutes of the match were fairly cagey with both teams settling into it. Coventry Copsewood started the better of the two with Bilston gradually growing into the match as it went on. Jean Gomes was excellent in the first half for Coventry Copsewood from holding midfield and was regularly breaking up the play. This stifled Bilston’s momentum on the ball and allowed Coventry Cospewood to get into the match and cause the Steelmen some problems in the final third. Ben Atkins had a good early chance at the back post from a corner for Coventry Copsewood in the 21st minute which was a signal of intent. Eden Mukenge also had a good chance in the box which was instinctively saved by Kai Lloyd in the 27th minute. The hosts were looking dangerous in the opening half an hour and were creating notable chances in front of goal. Bilston started to build some momentum in the final fifteen minutes of the first half. Samuel Yankson got into a good position from a corner and had a header at the back post saved by Olly Manuel in the 31st minute. Bilston’s rhythm was stifled in the opening 45 minute by unfortunate injuries to Angelo Franco and Ethan Pearce who had to leave the field of play and were substituted. Substitute Eesa Sawyers came off the bench for Bilston for Ethan Pearce and made an immediate impact. He had a great chance to open the scoring, but Olly Manuel did well to anticipate the play and come out to stop the shot. Eden Mukenge had a brilliant chance at the other end and took a shot that went narrowly wide of the left post in the 39th minute. A moment of genuine quality opened the scoring near the end of half with the Steelmen taking the lead. Lukman Darboe played an excellent defence splitting ball over the top that found Adam Nazir in the box who finished across Olly Manuel into the bottom right corner to make it 1-0 going into half time. Sean Kavanagh had a chance late on to equalise for Coventry Copsewood but Kai Lloyd did well to anticipate the shot and push it over the post. Second Half The start of the second half was not as frenetic as the last fifteen minutes of the first and took a while to get going. It felt like Bilston had a degree of control over the match which they didn’t have in the first half and were starting to pass the ball around with a bit more confidence. A key player for Bilston was Lukman Darboe from holding midfield who gave the Steelmen that composure to build attacks. He was excellent throughout the match but stood out in the second half and made an impact from midfield. The 4-2-3-1 formation helped Bilston in this match with the holding midfield of Jake Short and Lukman Darboe looking well balanced and shielding the defence well. The Steelmen made it 2-0 late on and it was a good passage of play from the visitors. An excellent run into the box resulted in a blocked shot. The shot fell into the path of substitute Soms Sibanda who anticipated the play excellently and finished well to give Bilston a two-goal lead in the 75th minute. Coventry Copsewood responded and got a late goal from a corner in the 85th minute to set up a nervy finish for Bilston thanks to a header at the near post. The best chance for Coventry Copsewood to get an equaliser came near injury time when a good ball into the box found Bryan Kohyrelon who couldn’t quite get the ball down to finish. Bilston also had a late chance to get a third with Sam Yankson making an inspired run towards goal from midfield before dragging his shot narrowly wide. Not long after the referee blew for the full-time whistle with the Steelmen taking home a valuable three points. Full Time This was a quality game yesterday between two sides that like to get the ball down and attack in the final third. Both of their strengths are up front, and the match reflected that with a lot of chances in it. Coventry Copsewood will feel disappointed not to get something from it as they had the chances. The main positive was the fact they were creating good chances in front of goal throughout the 90 minutes against one of the best teams in the league. It’s just a case of taking them but based on this match they should be fine and looking forward to a stress free second half of the season. The front two of Sean Kavanagh and Eden Mukenge were good in this game. They were getting into some excellent positions around the box and linking up well. Bilston were good in this match and managed to get a result at one of the tougher places to go for visiting teams. The most pleasing thing was that it was a team performance that got them the result rather than just relying on individual quality. Haydn Hall had a good game at the back and was reading the game well from central defence. Aaron Weston played well at left back and had an underrated game for the visitors defensively. The holding midfield of Jake Short and Lukman Darboe were excellent and did well to cancel Coventry Copsewood out, especially in the second half. Sam Yankson looked dangerous up front and was playing some good passes in the final third. There’s also a lot of quality on the bench with the likes of Soms Sibanda and Eesa Sawyers coming on and making an impact in the second half. Overall, a pleasing performance from Bilston and if they can win like this away from home between now and April, they stand a good chance of the top five. FT score: Coventry Copsewood 1-2 Bilston Town Man of the Match: Lukman Darboe (Bilston Town) Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League Stourport Swifts League position: 5th FA Vase: Fourth round proper MFL League cup: Second round FA cup: Extra preliminary round Stourport have been excellent in the premier division so far and are challenging for the play offs going into the second half of the season. The Swifts are currently one point ahead of AFC Wulfrunians in 6th and have three games in hand over them. Reaching the play offs would be a brilliant achievement but it’s been a successful season regardless of if they get in the top five. Their main strength has been their home form at Walshes Meadow where their currently unbeaten from eight matches with six wins and two draws. Another positive has been how tough they have been to beat with only three losses over the course of 18 matches. It’s a squad full of quality and their main striker Benjamin Tilbury has 10 goals in all competitions. One notable area for improvement is their form on the road. It’s not too bad with just three losses but includes five draws from ten matches. If they could get a few more results away from home, they could be dark horses for a top three finish. They have been on an eye-catching run in the FA Vase, knocking out a range of quality teams such as Sherwood Colliery from the United Counties League and AFC Wulfrunians. The Swifts have a tough match at home against Ashby Ivanhoe on the 13th of January which is a chance to reach the fifth round in February. It’s shaping up to be exciting second half of the season for Stourport supporters and the team is competing well in both the league and FA Vase. Upcoming fixtures: 6/1/2024: Uttoxeter Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 9/1/2024: Darlaston Town (Home) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO) 13/1/2024: Ashby Ivanhoe (Home) (FA Vase) (3pm KO) 20/1/2024: Atherstone Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 27/1/2024: Stone Old Alleynians (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 30/1/2024: Tividale (Home) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO) Studley League position: 2nd FA Vase: First qualifying round MFL League cup: First round FA cup: Preliminary round Studley have been good in the premier division and are challenging for the play offs between now and the end of April. With a seven-point gap to make up over Congleton Town in 1st, the league title is a stretch, but the play offs are a realistic aim for the Bees. If they do manage to make the play offs it will also be interesting to see if they can finish in the top three and set up a home semi-final match. Their main strength has been their home form at the Studley Sports Centre with eight wins from 12 matches and 30 goals scored. They got some big results at home throughout the festive period and notably beat both Darlaston Town and Highgate United to get their season back on track following a tough run of form in November. Their main issue has been their away form with just three wins from nine matches. It’s been a mixed bag on the road for Studley so far and includes three draws. The main goal is to reach the play offs. Their early exits from the cup competitions might help them achieve this come April as they can prioritise the league more than the teams around them. Upcoming fixtures: 6/1/24: Whitchurch Alport (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 20/1/24: Congleton Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 3/2/24: Shifnal Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 10/2/24: Wolverhampton Casuals (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 17/2/24: Romulus (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 24/2/24: Stourport Swifts (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) Tividale League position: 16th FA Vase: Third round proper MFL League cup: Quarter Finals FA cup: Extra Preliminary round It’s been a challenging season for Tividale where the club has struggled to build some momentum in the league. Their currently involved in a relegation battle to stay up and have a crucial run of games over the next month. There’s been a lot of postponements and good cup runs for Tividale which has caused a fixture backlog going into the second half of the season. None the less, their a point above Dudley Town in 16th and have a game in hand over the Robins. They need to produce a run of form as that second relegation spot could be one of four teams from Northwich in 14th to Dudley in 17th. Their main issue has been on the road with just one win in nine matches and 26 goals conceded. If they could tighten up at the back and play either a counter attacking or more pragmatic brand of football away, they could climb up the table. Being better defensively will also be important towards their goal difference which could be pivotal at the end of the season. One of the positives has been their run in the FA Vase and the MFL League cup which should give the squad confidence for the relegation battle. There’s quality in the squad with Ryan Snape impressing from attacking midfield and scoring eight goals in all competitions this season. It’s going to be an interesting rest of the season for Tividale in both the cup competitions and the league. Upcoming fixtures: 6/1/24: Darlaston Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 9/1/24: Lye Town (Home) (Birmingham Senior Challenge cup) (7:45pm KO) 13/1/24: Highgate United (Home) (MFL League cup) (3pm KO) 16/1/24: Whitchurch Alport (Home) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO) 20/1/24: Uttoxeter Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 27/1/24: Dudley Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) Uttoxeter Town League position: 7th FA Vase: First qualifying round MFL League cup: First round FA cup: Extra preliminary round Uttoxeter have been brilliant in the premier division and have been one of the surprise teams in the league this season. The Staffordshire side struggled for large parts of last season and were involved in a relegation battle to stay at step five. They ultimately got a reprieve with Winsford United taking a voluntary relegation to NWCL Division One South. Since then they have taken the chance of step five football brilliantly and emerged as a surprise play-off contender. Their currently three points off the play offs and have a positive goal difference. Their main strength has been at home at the Oldfield Sports Ground where they have lost just once in nine matches with four wins and four draws. Their defensive record at home has also been eye catching with just 12 goals conceded which has helped the club climb up the table. Their away form has been a mixed bag and includes four wins and six losses from ten matches. It includes beating Shifnal Town and losing to Tividale and Lichfield, so it’s been a bit hit and miss. It’s a shame they did not have a good run in one of the cup competitions in either the FA Vase or the MFL league cup. None the less, it’s gives them a good opportunity to prioritise the league and build a run of form to challenge for the top five. Mikey Conlon has been playing well from midfield and has that quality on the ball to create chances for Uttoxeter. He has 9 goals in all competitions so far this season. From a Uttoxeter perspective, it’s better looking up the table rather than the teams below them. Their well clear of relegation and are looking forward to an enjoyable second half of the season where their competing for the play offs. Upcoming fixtures: 6/1/24: Stourport Swifts (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 13/1/24: Darlaston Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 20/1/24: Tividale (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 3/2/24: AFC Wulfrunians (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 6/2/24: Atherstone Town (Home) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO) 10/2/24: Congleton Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) Whitchurch Alport League position: 13th FA Vase: Fourth round proper MFL League cup: Third round FA cup: Preliminary round Whitchurch have mainly struggled in the premier division and are in lower mid table going into the second half of the season. It feels like a transitional season with Adam Shillcock coming in as their new manager in season and gradually turning the fortunes of the Shropshire club around. There’s still work to do with the main priority to avoid relegation but there in a better place than they were a few months ago. Their main strength has been at Yockings Park where they have lost just two out of eight matches. Three wins and three draws from their home matches have stopped Whitchurch being dragged into a relegation battle near the bottom of the division but their only six points better off than Dudley Town in 17th so it’s not out of the question. The key issue has been away from home with two wins from eight matches. It’s been hit and miss so far on the road in the league with six losses away from home. Another issue has been in the final third with only 21 goals scored across 16 matches which is one of the lowest in the division. Their notable run in the FA Vase should give the squad confidence going into the new year and help them climb up the table. It’s been one of the stories of the season with eye catching wins against Biggleswade United and Worcester Raiders setting up a home tie against Great Wakering Rovers on the 13th of January. A mid table finish would be a successful season for Whitchurch with further success in the FA Vase a bonus. Upcoming fixtures: 6/1/24: Studley (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 9/1/24: Congleton Town (Home) (MFL League cup) (7:45pm KO) 13/1/24: Great Wakering Rovers (Home) (FA Vase) (3pm KO) 16/1/24: Tividale (Away) (Premier Division) (7:45pm KO) 20/1/24: Romulus (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 27/1/24: Bewdley Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) Wolverhampton Casuals League position: 15th FA Vase: Second round proper MFL League cup: Second round FA cup: Extra Preliminary round Wolverhampton Casuals have been ok in the premier division and are going into the new year in a good position in their quest to stay in the league. The Cassies are five points better off than Dudley Town in 17th with the same number of games played and have a crucial run of fixtures over the next month to get some points to climb into mid table. Their main strength has been away from home where they have managed to pick up 11 points from nine matches which has put them above the relegation zone. Their home form at the Brinsford stadium has been more challenging with one win from eight matches. They also had a tough festive period where they lost to relegation rivals Tividale and Dudley which has dragged them back into the fight to stay up. They should look back on their good run in the FA Vase where they reached the second round before bowing out to Worcester City and use it as a source of confidence for the league matches ahead. It’s going to be a big month for the club as they play Northwich Victoria twice and are also up against struggling Bewdley Town. The loss of Tom Cottam to Darlaston Town is a big blow and the club will need to find a reliable goal scorer from January to April to achieve safety. Benni Wilson has played well for the Cassies and has six goals in all competitions this season. The main goal will be staying up and if Wolverhampton Casuals can achieve this it will be a successful season. Upcoming fixtures: 6/1/24: Northwich Victoria (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 13/1/24: Congleton Town (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 20/1/24: AFC Wulfrunians (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 27/1/24: Northwich Victoria (Away) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 3/2/24: Bewdley Town (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) 10/2/24: Studley (Home) (Premier Division) (3pm KO) Review feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League |
MFLThe official news channel of the Midland Football League (founded 2014) Archives
March 2024
Categories |